Easy Entertaining: Oscar Party

  

       In case you live under a rock and hadn't realized, this Sunday (2/27) is the Oscars. You know that 3 plus hour award show thing where people get these little gold statues and thank the academy and maybe their husband, if they remember. Some people look really good in long beautiful dresses; some just wear swans around their necks. Anyways, the point is, the Oscars are a great opportunity to have some friends over for a nice get together. The best part is party centers around watching the TV, so you don't even have to worry too much about keeping your friends entertained. Here are some easy tips for hosting your Oscar party this weekend:


Party Ideas:  

You want to make sure you have plenty of room for guests to sit and watch the show comfortably, this is not the time to abide by the "only have enough chairs for half the guests" rule. Bring in pillows and blankets to make sure everyone will be comfortable watching the TV.

That being said, it can get a bit boring during the long show, so you could print out these bingo cards for guests to play and have these score cards so guests can bet on the winners (just make sure you have a prize!).

Another great idea is to fill a top hat or basket with movie trivia questions to ask during commercial breaks.

Or simply write stars names on paper and stick them to guest's foreheads (or backs) and have them play 20 questions by asking only yes and no questions to guess who they are.
 

Décor:

Sprinkle silver, gold or black stars everywhere! Tape them to the wall, hang them from the ceiling.

Take movie posters and tape them to the walls (if you don't have any, a print shop should be able to print you a bunch for relatively cheap. Or just go to Wal-Mart).

Roll out a red carpet (or a vinyl one) to welcome guests.



Food:

Since this show lasts so long, it's best to just have a bunch of easy things to nibble on during the 3 plus hours. So think crudités and or chocolate dipped pretzels, maybe even brie bites?

Make popcorn and have available other movie theater snacks, like junior mints or snow caps.

Shrimp cocktails are a great idea as well; you could simply take some glasses and make each individual guest their own.

Drinks:

Think sparkling wines (Champagne) or even sparkling apple cider (sometimes, I prefer it!)

Or make drinks that have movie inspiration like a Casablanca or a godfather.

Make Oscar punch.

Some 2011 nominated films inspired drinks.


Do you have any great Oscar party ideas?

Easy Entertaining: Brie Bites

So you may have noticed the lovely little pastries at my Valentine's Crafternoon party, they were made by my best friend, Lily. As I lover of brie, jams and all sorts of carbs, I was delighted when she suggested bringing some over. They are quite easy to make and sadly, were the first thing gone at the party. I asked her to send me the recipe, and luckily for all of us, she obliged. 

BRIE BITES

• 1 round brie (a wedge will work for minis or just one serving of the regular size, otherwise you'll need a round
  
• Pillsbury biscuits or crescent roll/croissant dough (1-2 packages)
  
• Jam (homemade compote if you've got it)(*recipe to come later) 

For the minis: get a mini cupcake pan put one biscuit dough round in each cup

• Cut the brie up into small cubes (after removing the top of the brie round, the stiff white layer)
  
• Place one brie cube into each cup and top with a teaspoon of the jam
  
• Pull the sides of the dough up and pinch at the top to seal

For the regular size, you'll need either two biscuit rounds or a stretched out crescent triangle

• Place one biscuit down in the cup, stretching it until it covers the entire cup.
  
• Place a larger square of brie and a tablespoon or so of jam (go by sight, you don't want it to overflow)
  
• Then flatten out another round of dough against your palm to make it thinner and flatter
  
• Put it on top of one of the filled brie cups and push the sides down to seal it 

 Bake according to the instructions until light golden brown (350 for about 8 to 12 minutes, depending on size)

Serve with a drizzle of honey. And careful… they're hot!

 

Thanks, Lily!


 

Martha Stewart Sundays: Valentine’s Crafternoon

      Every Sunday, I shall attempt to do something like Martha does, from baking to cleaning to (God help me) glittering pictures of your dog.

       For my first installment of Martha Stewart Sunday, I took her idea in the February 2011 Living magazine of a Valentine's Crafternoon. I invited a few girlfriends over for snacks and crafts. It was a blast, we sat around for a few hours in the afternoon happily cutting and glittering to our hearts' content. It was a lovely way to spend the afternoon away from all the super bowl fanfare and instead create cards for our loved ones. Later this week, I will be breaking down everything I did for the party as far as food but here is a quick overview of the Crafternoon.

      I bought stickers, cardstock, tissue paper, scissors, glitter and glue plus more. I also asked the girls to bring over some crafting things; if they had anything to contribute (glitter hearts are not cheap). For food, I had the pie, candies, apple dips, brie bites and raspberry ginger ale with frozen cranberries.
Here's what the work table looked like: